Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation and Tourism H.K. Patil on Wednesday announced that the State government will sanction ₹2 crore for the development of tourism infrastructure at Navagraha Tirtha at Varur near Hubballi.
Inaugurating a Panchaloha Kalasorahana programme organised as part of the 12-day Mahamastakabhisheka of nine Tirthankaras at Navagraha Tirtha of Varur near Hubballi on Wednesday, he said that ₹1 crore each will be released for two years for the development of Navagraha Tirtha which has emerged as a pilgrimage centre.
Mr. Patil said that there are around 4,000 Jain basadis (temples) in Karnataka that were built during the reign of the Hoysala, the Chalukya and the Rashtrakuta kings. However, they are in a very sorry state of existence.
“In fact, some of them have become cattle sheds and some dilapidated due to neglect. Following our request, the Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari has taken up restoration of eight basadis. I appeal to the Jain monks and philanthropists to come forward to take up restoration of the remaining basadis,” he said.
The Minister said that Mahatma Gandhi was inspired by the teachings of Jain monk Rajachandra and brought freedom to the country through the tools of fasting and agitation.
“Others have a lot to learn from the Jain concepts of penance and lifestyle,” he said.
The Minister lauded Sri Gunadhar Nandi Maharaj for his initiative of providing free education to poor children from nursery to degree courses and requested everyone to join hands with him in his endeavour.
The former Minister Veerkumar Patil and a host of other leaders were present.
Speaking at the programme, senior RSS functionary Mangesh Bhendre emphasised the need for burying differences over caste, community, language and region to make India a strong country.
He emphasised the need for imbibing the values of non-violence, love for nature and Swadesi lifestyle advocated by Bhagvan Mahaveer.
Governor of Punjab Gulabchan Katariya stressed the need for giving good Sanskaar to children along with providing them good education.
Donors Mahendra Singhi, Anilkumar Chougale, Kiran Patil and others were felicitated on the occasion.
